Chinese Lantern (Abutilon × hybridum): Exotic Bell Flowers for Gardens and Patios

With its pendulous, lantern-shaped blossoms dangling like handmade paper ornaments from maple-like leaves, Chinese lantern (Abutilon × hybridum) brings a touch of the tropics to temperate gardens. Long grown as a "parlor maple" houseplant, these hybrids are increasingly finding their way outdoors, where their spring-to-summer floral display — and appeal to hummingbirds — can be fully appreciated.

Monrovia

Quick Reference Guide

• Botanical name: Abutilon × hybridum (hybrid group)
• Common names: Chinese lantern, flowering maple, Chinese bellflower
• USDA zones: 9–11 (most tolerate 25°F)
• Water needs: Moderate to regular, especially in summer
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Mature size: 8–10 feet tall and wide (dwarf cultivars available)
• Benefits: Attracts hummingbirds and bees
• Seasonal interest: Flowers spring through summer; some cultivars bloom nearly year-round
• Planting time: Spring, after frost danger passes (softwood cuttings)
• Caution: Leaves are toxic if ingested

Distinguishing Features

Soft, bright green, maple-shaped leaves clothe the shrub year-round in mild climates. The real show, however, is the flowers: delicate, papery bells in shades of white, yellow, pink, orange, and red that hang gracefully from arching branches. Growth habit is loose and somewhat pendulous, allowing the plant to fill space quickly. Cultivars range from compact dwarfs to full-sized shrubs.

Monrovia

Missouri Botanical Garden

Design Uses

In frost-free areas, plant Chinese lantern where it receives morning sun and dappled afternoon shade, letting it arch naturally as an informal screen or backdrop. Its tropical vibe suits patio gardens, courtyard plantings, and mixed borders. Where winters are cold, grow it in a large container and move it indoors before frost; some gardeners treat it as a fast-growing annual. It also makes a striking specimen in a conservatory or sunroom.

Missouri Botanical Garden

The Garden Route Company

Planting and Care Notes

• Climate adaptation: Coastal/cool zones: more sun, less water. Hot inland zones: morning sun, afternoon shade, mulch well.
• Soil: Well-drained, enriched with organic matter.
• Pruning: Prune in early spring before bloom to control size and reduce legginess. Pinch tips to encourage bushiness.
• Feeding: Monthly balanced fertilizer during active growth; avoid excess nitrogen (promotes leaves over flowers).
• Pests: Monitor for scale and whitefly.

With a little attention to its preferences, Chinese lantern rewards gardeners with months of exotic, hummingbird-magnet blooms.

Photo by Stan Shebs